July Newsletter ~ A Fresh Look for Summer

I hope you're enjoying your summer, finding sunshine (and shade!), and getting good use of your cestas. Summer is such a fun time to see products we designed and produced become part of someone's picnic, beach trip, or weekend away. It's also one of my favorite times because I get to be in the shop & at markets chatting with people, learning what they like & then quickly apply it to planning for the holidays & next year! It's kind of a crazy cycle.

This year, July feels especially exciting. We've launched a complete redesign of our website (something that's been quietly occupying many late nights). We've also recently returned from a trip to Guatemala, full of new ideas; we celebrated two years on the Brookland Arts Walk; & I'm about to attend Shoppe Object trade show in New York and introduce some new designs for holidays & 2027. As busy as we've been, all of these milestones are reminders that ixöq can only continue to grow with immense help from this incredible community.

After many months of planning, tweaking, reorganizing, and probably overthinking every little detail, I'm so excited to finally share our newly redesigned website! This is more than a visual refresh, it's a refocusing of where ixöq is headed and a commitment to creating the best experience for everyone who shops with us.

The new site is cleaner, easier to navigate, and designed to help you discover products based on your needs and preferences. Whether you're looking for the perfect market tote, a thoughtful gift, or a rainbow stripe storage basket, the site should feel more welcoming, inspiring, and just plain easier to shop. There's even a handy new filter feature to help you narrow down products! Take a look around, and if someone comes to mind who would love ixöq, please share it with a friend. Word of mouth has always been our favorite way to grow.

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One of the highlights of every year is returning to Guatemala to spend time with the remarkable women who make ixöq possible (and to soak in the beauty of Lake Atitlan). There is simply no substitute for sitting together, weaving, laughing, sharing meals, and planning what's next.

This year's trip was jam packed with visits here and there, and I arrived overflowing with ideas. We explored new color combinations, refined a few favorite designs, and met with potential new makers in search of an expanded selection of products for the holidays.

We also had our first ever professional photoshoot in Antigua (Guatemala). It is a city that I love and find strikingly gorgeous and I've always wanted it as the backdrop for some lifestyle photos. I'm so happy that, with the help of some local friends, we were able to make it work.

Every visit reminds me that ixöq is built on relationships first, products & details second. Hopefully that is reflected in our work.

Thanks to everyone who came by our studio on the Arts Walk to celebrate our second anniversary as part of this fabulous community. If you couldn't make it last weekend, there are always opportunities to stop by and shop in person (and see all of these fabulous bags we brought back!).

We also have several upcoming markets. If you’re nearby, come find us. We always love seeing you in person. (mention this newsletter and get 5% off if you show up at a market 😊)